“I’m writing a project to do with Oscar,” del Toro told the TIFF crowd. “It’s called “Fury,” and it goes back to the thriller aspects of Nightmare Alley — very cruel, very violent. Like “My Dinner with Andre” but with killing after each course.”

Now 60, del Toro says the story is tied to his own shifting perspective: “I’m very interested in the violence we do to each other — mentally, spiritually, physically. I’ve gone from asking where I’m going, to being a father and son, to now being in the regret decade. So expect a lot of regret.”